Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1887-12-23
keleIN or CHRISTMAS.
December Was Originally
poman Saturnaiia-

QhiCif
noccmber Was Originally
conan saturnaiia-
ration Of Christmas as tho
Ioens is universal among
u every sect, and as such it
i throughout Christendom az
soliest Of all holidays. And
!, mooted question, Is Dec. %
s = Of Christ's birth? we have
d. For it matters nothing
" was on this particular
The Christ Child first
petbleben's lowly nnanGer.
~ day that has been &C
Ill be celebrated to the end
will be Of interest to most
rsver. to note that it was not
Fbird or Fourth century that
date was agreed upon, and
Ian. 6, March 20 and Sept.
ariously observed during the
Injuries by various bodies Oh
The fixing Of the date seems
I'm accomplished by julius /,
"A "a pope or bishop Of Rome
$50 4. D.
Is not alone among Chris
ID in being the follower of a
similar holiday among the pa
Rome it was called the Satur-
i tbe observance Of the winter
christmas, was not confined to
ns The holiday appears TO
Kept by the Scandinavians, the
mi the PhRuicians, and per
Inv other people. All these ma
bired the sun. under one form or
IN giver Of all life. Each gave
different name. At Rome he
|iped under one Of the characters
to Saturn, the father of the
nr the Scandinavians as Odin, or
q father Of Thor; with the Per-
Ethras, probably the same as the
n and withlthe Ph9nicians his
Baal or Bel.
nations chose about the same
bis feast. This is supposed to
! caused by the feelings OF de-
rienced shortly after Dec. 81, be-
days then begin TO lengthen.
Bun begins his upward course,
and summer are approaching.
What similar reasons the pagans
great midsummer feast at or
be q.
6iwinter festival Of the Satur-
observed for several days in
unrestrained manner; every
kied and work was quite sus-
Even the slaves were allowed
liberty for the time being.
hi eyergreens were everywhere
the same as now, and gifts were
b and there were especial greet
tie season. In the north these
were carried on in some.
9Bnder fashion, but were en-
hto with not less hearty
n. Fires were everywhere kin
indoors and out, in honor of
y Thor; the Druids gathered the
siletoe, and both men and cattle
rhced to the savage divinities.
bit Persians also burned immense
p this season, and between them
pruids Of western Europe some
ationship existed.
hter days of the Roman empire
Of the Saturnalia deteriorared
oss debaueh-so gross, indeed.
N historians have cared to defile
E with its details.
t0r the purpose of counteiac+inc
&induences Of the Saturnalia. to
patton of which the young OF both
Pc very prone, that the early
teachers i'll Rome sought to
rites Of heather rejoicing and
Hen suoserylent, instead of an.
70 the cause Of religion. Ger
OF amusement were forbidden
hot so gross were substituted,
long time before the people
percy were Of one mind regard
pserTances OF Christmas.
aln there We're other modiflca-
II the modified Saturnalia were
some OF the Druidical rites and
pas' and, after the arrival of the
some Of the ceremonies of the
e'nans and Scandinavians. OF
Tue burning of the Yule log
ensh 'Ae luis
~ sala Inc burning of the Yule log
Il ehflStmas eve. In feudaI
u Hlnging in of the ponderous
= burning 1t on the wide hearth
IT, chimney OF the baronfal hall
,sl win the greatest reioicings.
sls Of the Yule from the forest
4 at, was an elaborate ceremony
Il. ala as 1t passed, every wavfarer
IT, n nay ior we'll he knew that its
b. nsht up scenes of feasting
II 81 sagss OF old wrongs, and that
/ ei l. quaint ditty, apropos Of
/, IS supposed to have been sllV wriste ~,
II reign of Henry VI: '''''
Ill., me- 3 81, thou, heavenly King.
~ rns' S sn on this morning:
NJ Nhon We Shall SIM.
i welcome Yule.
EN- as BE- 's! y, Stephen and John:
kCns' T9ahaoeents every one:
twse 91lss' martyr one;
(o ne % ye, good New Year.
us Waisiove loved and dear;
welcome Yule.
(ro,as . ye, Candlemas.
To- S = Y, queen of bliss.
W tir 10 more and less;
EN- EN- b, ye that are here.
e. a,a al al and lGo.e rood cha,-
h., Welcome Yuie s"'
s I hmm n1s a, the mistletoe bough
| cbriS as over the center of the
Nher by o1' I've, and any damsel
herself ba rnaace or on purpose,
Of BEING tt 1t has to pay the
Present, o D! all the men